The Pittsburgh Steelers compete in one of the most intense divisions in football, the AFC North. Among their rivals—the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals—the Steelers have a strong dislike for all three. While they respect the Ravens, they still hold a grudge. The Bengals, though less respected, are still regarded more highly than the Browns.
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Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Browns' Deshaun Watson in Pittsburgh, PA.
For years, the Browns were seen as the underdogs of the AFC North. However, they’ve recently turned things around and become a formidable opponent in the division. Some experts even believe the Browns could win the AFC North in 2024. Despite their improvement, the Steelers have historically dominated this rivalry and are determined to keep that trend going in the upcoming season.
Steelers' young, speedy wide receiver Calvin Austin III is eager to make an impact in 2024. With increased opportunities on the horizon, he’s poised to carve out a significant role in the offense. Austin recently appeared on The Jason & John Show on 92.9 FM ESPN in Memphis, where he was asked which rival excites him the most to go up against. His answer was clear and enthusiastic.
"Cleveland," Austin said. "For one, going to Cleveland, their fans are ruthless. That was the first environment I was like, yo, this is an away game. I feel like Baltimore has always been the rival, but it's also a respect thing there. Now the Browns are on the climb a little bit, so it's more of they coming in, it's like that attitude.”
The Steelers' most intense matchups have often been against the Ravens, but determining which rivalry is the fiercest is a matter of nuance. Each of these rivalries is marked by intense dislike and aggressive play.
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Defensive lineman Cam Heyward takes down quarterback Deshaun Watson during a Pittsburgh Steelers' game.
The Ravens have consistently been the Steelers' closest competitors, which has fostered a mutual respect between the two teams. Meanwhile, the Browns, who have struggled in the past, have recently turned their fortunes around, as Austin noted. During his first away game in Cleveland, Austin felt the hostility from the crowd, fueling his desire to defeat the Browns even more in 2024.
"They gonna try you. So you gotta get right with them. So I would say the Browns, that's the one l'm like yeah, we gotta beat them."
The Browns and their fans are riding high after an impressive 2023 season, where they managed an 11-6 record despite battling injuries. However, their season ended on a sour note in the playoffs with a 45-14 blowout loss to the Houston Texans. Despite this, Browns fans are feeling optimistic, believing their team is now superior to the Steelers and expecting Super Bowl contention in 2024.
Steelers Franchise Has Been Far More Successful Than the Browns
Steelers fans often chuckle at Browns supporters who cling to their playoff victory over Pittsburgh from the 2020 NFL Wild Card game. In that game, the Browns defeated the Steelers 48-37. Although it was a painful loss for Pittsburgh, the Steelers fought back from a 28-0 deficit in the first quarter, but it wasn't enough. While Browns fans use that game to taunt Steelers supporters, it's worth noting that the Steelers have won six Super Bowls, while the Browns have never appeared in one.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III during offseason workouts.
Though the Steelers have historically been the stronger team, the Browns have become a genuine threat. Austin and the Steelers are eager to dominate the Browns and silence their fans in the 2024 season.
The AFC North is a competitive division where any of the four teams could claim the title. Football fans are looking forward to the in-season Hard Knocks series, which will feature the entire AFC North. Austin is hopeful for standout performances against the Browns and aims for two regular-season victories against them.
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